Incense Fires Greet
the Future Queen
and Her Retinue
All Bhutan rejoiced at
news that the heir to the
throne would marry Ashi
Kesang-La Dorji. Vil
lagers lined her path as
she crossed the mountains
from Ha, her ancestral
home, to Paro for the cere
mony. As a mark of re
spect, they lit juniper in
cense fires and set up
stands offering food and
drink.
Here Jigmie Dorji, Gov
ernor of Ha, accompanies
his sister over the pass.
Although the trail covers
only 19 miles, the moun
tain trip takes all day.
Honor guards wear
white shawls denoting
rank. For comfort, they
carry swords tied up, but
let them down before en
tering a fort.
Personal belongings, in
cluding eating utensils, are
kept inside the tops of
robes and supported by
tight sashes. Wide cuffs
on sleeves turn down for
warmth in Bhutan's chill
winter.
Ashi Kesang-La Dorji
holds a Tibetan fur hat.
Her umbrella bearer, Num
gay, one of Ha's brightest
school children, follows
close behind.
( National Geographic Society